Maryland Looks Like Great Value at +800 To Win Big Ten Title

The start of the season has been a welcomed surprise for Maryland basketball fans. Coming into the 2022-23 season, the Terps weren't listed in the preseason AP Top 25. In fact, they didn't make it in Andy Katz's Power 36 college basketball rankings either. If we narrow the field and just look at the Big Ten, they were picked to finish 10th in the conference. Yet, just a month into the regular season, Maryland has climbed the ranks and now finds itself ranked No. 22 in the AP and as high as fourth in the Big Ten title odds at +600.

Maryland can make a pretty good case to be one of the top three teams in the Big Ten, which is why you might want to consider taking a look at their odds of +800 at BetMGM to win the conference. The performances the Terps have put up en route to a perfect 8-0 record also indicates that this is a team to play on going forward. They have two solid wins over Saint Louis and Miami at neutral sites, but it was their Big Ten opener against Illinois at home that really put the league on notice.

Jahmir Young put up 24 points to lead the way for Maryland, while Hakim Hart added 17 and Donta Scott added 12. But what was really impressive was their effort on the defensive end. Kevin Willard's team was effective in their zone, which allowed them to slow down an Illini team that knows how to score the basketball.

Their defense was key in that game and it's going to be key in them having a shot at winning the conference. Willard-coached teams are heavily focused on defense, which is a must if you want to win games in the Big Ten.

Purdue (+300), Indiana (+300), and Iowa (+600) all rank ahead of Maryland in the standings and can all produce very good offensive numbers. Yet, only the Hoosiers rank higher in scoring defense and only by one spot. As we continue to get deeper into Big Ten play, we're going to see teams rely more heavily on their defensive effort.

Maryland also has several young players who are getting great experience in big games early in the season. Tonight's game against Wisconsin will be another chance to get a good look at the Terps' strengths and weaknesses. A win over the Badgers could move them up in the odds race, so if you like what you're seeing, grab the value now at +800 to win the Big Ten.

Bet on Maryland risk-free up to $1,000 at BetMGM right now! Take advantage below!